Over on "The Kiss Business too", Karin has written a nice post about the Givers Gain Principle. With that as inspiration, I'm going to spend this week on the ways in which giving to others can power your networking success to new heights - and ultimately get you what you need.
Today I'll share a bit of my own philosophy, plus links to what others say about giving to your network. Wednesday's post will cover my ideas for actions to take in face-to-face networking, and Friday will highlight some ideas for giving in the virtual networking world. Hopefully you will have ideas of your own to add to the mix.
What folks have said about giving:
- Me - Giving increases my sense of self-worth, especially when I can give of my special talents, skills and experience.
- Jason Alba - In his example networking letter (one of the best I've seen), notice how Jason focuses on how he might help Susan - not on how she might help him.
- Gretchen Rubin - In a post about the perfect gift, Gretchen says, "Nothing makes me happier than helping someone else to be happy." Gretchen has spent the last year studying every tip about happiness she could find, and then writing about the results on her blog.
- Mark Twain - As quoted by Gretchen Rubin, Twain said that, "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."
- Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
- "Contribute. It's like Miracle-Gro for networks." (p. 22), and "It's better to give before you receive." (p.22), and "In connecting, as in blogging, you're only as good as what you give away." (p. 59)
- The CEO Netweavers, an organization of current and former CEOs and COOs, "is based on each and every member focusing on what they can do to help their peers reach their goals not what the organization can do for them."
- The US Army - In its creed for non-commissioned officers (NCOs), includes the promise by the NCO that "I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own."
- Winston Churchill - "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
- Proverb - "If you always give, you will always have."
Convinced? If so, check back on Wednesday and Friday for some action ideas. If not, let's talk. The comment space is below - please chime in!
